Fatal Pseudomonas Infection in Burned Patients

PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA (Bacillus pyocyaneus) is normally an organism of low invasiveness and virulence, frequently noted as a local inhabitant of burns, surgical wounds and the genitourinary tract. Under suitable host conditions, however, this gram-negative, motile rod can assume the role of a life-threatening pathogen. Reports of serious pseudomonas infection date back to the 1890's1 although these infections were apparently quite rare before the advent of antibiotics. There is little question that the incidence of serious pseudomonas infection has risen since 1940, and from the spate of reports in the past several years,2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 it is possible that this organism will achieve . . .